Presidential Candidate John McCain Visits UT

Senator and presidential candidate John McCain made a visit Friday to
The University of Tampa to participate in a televised discussion
focusing on national security.

Several nationally known
political figures attended the roundtable event, including former
Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

A crowd of McCain
supporters, members of the media as well as University staff and
students packed Plant Hall’s Music Room to watch the discussion, which
centered on the threat terrorism poses to the nation.

“I
still believe the transcendent challenge of the 21st century is radical
Islamic terrorism,” McCain said. “It is a challenge that has taken many
fronts. And the central battlefield is in Iraq.”

The panel
members, who also included Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee and
Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe, were unanimous in their
support of McCain as the presidential candidate who can best maintain
national security and strengthen the nation’s military.

“They say that people will judge you by the company you keep,” McCain
said. “I’m honored to be in the company of these people.”

Student Government Vice President Tom McKissock, who was among the
event’s spectators, said that a visit from any presidential candidate
is an experience that benefits students and the University community as
a whole.

“It’s good to see the issues from a broad
perspective and it’s good to see how decisions are made,” McKissock
said. “Even if you disagree with a particular candidate, it’s still
good to hear their positions.”

McCain is making frequent visits throughout Florida this week in preparation for Tuesday’s Republican presidential primary.